By Isa Amok
ALGIERS, July 12 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Falcons rammed in three second half goals past Ethiopia to keep their title ambitions bright in a scrappy Group A women’s match at the All Africa Games on Thursday.
The victory brought smiles to the faces of the team headed for the FIFA World Cup in China in September after they fought from behind to hold South Africa in the first match on Monday.
The Games second day saw the hosts win their first gold medal when Rachida Ouardaue beat Senegalese Mendy Gisel in the judo 70 kg category.
In men’s swimming, Tunisian Ahmed Mathlouthi’s set an African record of 3:58.44 in the 400m freestyle and Kenya’s Jason Dunford’s swam 53.45 seconds for a Games record in the 100m butterfly.
DR Congo surprised champions Angola in the women’s basketball with a 74-58 victory.
In other matches, rank outsiders Kenya upset Tunisia 58-56, Mozambique stunned Ivory Coast 63-39 and Nigeria slammed Zimbabwe 85-55.
In the women’s soccer at the Bologhine Stadium, Rita Chikwelu put Nigeria’s Falcons ahead in the 57th minute with a long range shot. Chejine Ifeanyi added the second in the 72nd minute after outsprinting the Ethiopian defence and Ekpo Effioanwan put the issue beyond doubt in injury time.
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